George Frank Elliott was born at Utah, Alabama on November 30, 1846.
He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York
from 1868 to June 1870 when he completed a prescribed two-year course of
study. He was honorably discharged and in October of 1870 was appointed
second lieutenant of Marines by the President of the United States.

Second Lieutenant Elliott’s first tour of duty was at the Marine
Barracks, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, District of Columbia. In 1871
he was transferred to the Marine Barracks, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Seavy
Island, Kittery, Maine. He later served with the Marine Guards on
board U.S.S. VERMONT, U.S.S. FROLIC, and U.S.S. MONONGAHELA. In 1877 he
was transferred to the Marine Barracks, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth,
Virginia. During a strike of railway employees of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad he was detached with a Marine Guard in order to protect and defend
the property of the railroad. At the conclusion of that duty he returned
to Norfolk Navy Yard where, in 1878, he was promoted to first lieutenant.

First Lieutenant Elliott was transferred to the Marine Guard on board
the U.S.S. ALLIANCE In 1880 to 1882. He served at the Marine Barracks,
Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Massachusetts from 1882 to 1884. He was
then transferred to the Marine Barracks, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth,
Virginia in 1884. In 1885 he was with the Marine battalion sent to the
Isthmus of Panama. In 1892 he was promoted to captain.

In 1894 he was transferred to the U.S.S. BALTMORE
as Fleet Marine Officer when the ship was sent to China to guard American
Interests during the war between Japan and China.

Captain Elliott distinguished himself in action against Spanish infantry
and Cuban irregulars at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
during continuous combat action from 11 through 14 June, 1898. He was in
command of the Marines and Cuban Mambises that were victorious at the Battle
of Cuzco Well. For his eminent and conspicuous conduct during the Battle
of Cuzco Well he was advanced three numbers in his grade.

In 1899 he was transferred to the Marine Barracks, Navy Yard, Washington,
District of Columbia and there was promoted to Major in March of 1899.
In August of that same year, he was ordered to command the Second Marine
Battalion for duty in the Philippines (along with the reorganized First
Marine Battalion of Spanish – American fame). He was promoted to Lieutenant
Colonel in September and from October 1899 to January 1900 he commanded
the First Brigade of Marines (comprised of the First and Second Battalion
of Marines). During this time, the brigade was in combat at Novaleta, PI.

On his return to the United States, he was transferred to the Marine
Barracks, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia until 1903. He was
then transferred to the Marine Barracks, Washington Navy Yard, Washington,
District of Columbia and promoted to the rank of colonel in March of 1903.

In October 1903, he was appointed Brigadier General Commandant of
the United States Marine Corps, relieving Major General Charles Heywood
as 8th Commandant.

On December 1903 he was ordered to command the Provisional
Brigade of Marines organized for service in Panama following the Panamanian
revolt against Colombia. On February 15, 1904 he relinquished command of
the Brigade and resumed his duties as Commandant on the 25th.

On May 21, 1908, he was appointed Major General Commandant of the
United States Marine Corps. Then, on November 30, 1910 he was placed on
the retired list having attained the statutory retirement age.

Commandant George Frank Elliott died on November 4, 1931 just six
days before his 86th birthday. He and his wife, Annie M. Elliott (1857
– 1932) are interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

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